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Other Christians have said it better and I don't have influence over a huge blog following, but perhaps that's the whole point. Sometimes a lone voice has to speak up. And where in the months and months of planning and thrashing out details, was the lone voice? Why was not one voice heard to ask, "Is this really how we want to present ourselves to the rest of the world?"
I'm talking about the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games.
According to headlines, Christians worldwide have been offended and outraged. I can understand the backlash, but I'm not sure that I feel outraged. More just sad. Perhaps a little frightened because it shows how dark our world as become. But more sad than anything.
Sad for the depravity of mankind.
And sad for the French people.
I don't know a lot about France and its citizens. I studied French at school and learnt a little about the culture and history and language of that country. My teachers often emphasised its cuisine and beauty, its fashion and classical arts, its architecture and lifestyle. And yet, in recent days, those chosen to represent France to the rest of the world, rather than celebrating the good, it was as if they deliberately highlighted and celebrated their shame. Actually delighted in it.
Why any of us have been surprised by what has happened, I don't know. Perhaps because it appeared so blatant and even out of place. As a child, along with countless other families at the time, we gathered as a family around the TV and watched the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games. It was entertainment. It was fascinating. It often highlighted the national pride citizens had in their country. It set the tone for the rest of the Games. Yet this was not something I would have wanted any young child to witness in 2024.
Despite their protestations that they didn't intend to offend anyone, as Christians we have to remember that the world will hate us. Jesus said that just as He was hated, we would be too. But we also need to remember that as Jesus was dying on the cross, He was mocked by the very people He came to save. Those crucified alongside Him. The soldiers. Even the religious leaders. It should not be any surprise then that the world mocks Him now.
Yet, just as on the cross, He offered forgiveness to the thief that repented, He extends the same offer of salvation to the very ones who mock Him now. The same offer of love and grace and mercy towards the very ones who mock Him ... towards those condemned and caught in their own sin and shame ... towards those who have no idea of the danger of their eternal souls as they flaunt their sin and laugh at everything that is holy.
Jesus came to save them. The sinner. The depraved. The mocker. He loves them just as He loved us and called us while we were still sinners.
And perhaps more than outrage or offense, or any other response, we need to focus on this: that our God is able to save even the most hardened sinner.
